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The Staffordshire Schools 'season draws to close this week. On Monday the U14 Boys will play Repton at Stafford Town FC KO 7-00pm to help Repton in their quest to win the national U14 small schools competition. They will be playing at the Hawthorns later in the month. Manager Neil Davies is using his whole squad for this their final game of the season. Admission is £3 adults and £2 concessions and usual dress code applies.
On Tuesday the U15 boys supported by a couple of older players will take on the SRUSA team, a group of players hoping to earn scholarships to USA universities in the next two seasons.There will be a short presentation before the game bu SRUSA and the game kicks off at Stafford Town FC at 7-00pm.
On Friday we send Newcastle College best wishes for their national cup final at Stoke City FC. Several Staffordshire Under 18 players will be taking part in the game and losing finalists last season they will be hoping to go one better.
Jack Finney, one of the Under 18 players was skipper of a team which won one of the futsal categories in the Peoples Cup and will have the pleasure of attending the FA cup Final at Wembley.We hope that he has a great day.
The Under 18 Boys travelled to Sandwell Academy to take on the West Midlands having already won theMCF title but hoping to finish their league programme with a 100% record. This was made difficult due to the absence of four first choice players but such is the depth of the squad they were not missed.
The game was an excellent example of Under 18 County football played at a high pace with lots of skill on display. West Midlands took a 1-0 lead when Staffordshire gifted them possession having had several good chances to lead in the game. West Midlands always posed a threat and also created good chances.
The second half was almost totally dominated by Staffordshire but they found themselves two goals down after a horrible mix up in the defence. The setback seemed to spur Staffordshire on and the got a goal back when Owen Turner met a corner and headed in at the back post. The rampant Jack Taylor made a brilliant interception, made 40 yards and then played in Christian Blanchette who bravely went in with boots flying to level the scores. Staffordshire were now in the ascendancy and it was no surprise when they were awarded a penalty which Tom Harley stuck away.
The boys have been excellent all season and but for one poor performance in the national competition would have had a perfect season. Three boys in particular deserve a special mention, Jack Taylor, Max Cuthbert and Alex Minshull have played in the County side for five years and clocking up in excess of fifty appearenceseach. Some of the squad will be available again next season but Jack Finney, Ethan Cartwright, Sam Jarvis, Declan Arber,Sam Jessup and Tom Harley will be leaving. Staffordshire County SFA thank them all for their contribution and wish them well in their future careers.
The Under 18 Boys will be crowned MCF Champions tomorrow night at Sandwell Academy no matter what the result of the game. It will be their and the County's last competitive game of the season and for many their last game in a Staffordshire shirt. The game kicks off at 7-00pm and players should report to the Sandwell Academy, Halford Lane as near to six as possible. The school is opposite West Bromwich Albion Football club. Usual dress code applies.
Squad is:
George Hill Sir Graham Balfour
Jack Taylor JCB Academy
Connor Taylor Stoke VI College
Alex Minshull Newcastle College
Carter Lycett Hednesford
Owen Turner Hednesford
Jack Finney Stoke VI College
Tom Harley Codsall
Christian Blanchette Codsall
Declan Arber Codsall
Ethan Cartwright Newcastle College
Matt Jessup Weston Road
Anye Fohwaje Blessed William Howard
Sam Jarvis Walton HS
Max Cuthbert Alleynes Academy
Kyle Ashman Hednesford
The boys will collect the trophy and medals at the conclusion of the game.
This week saw the final home games of the season with the exception of a showcase event in May.
On Monday the U14 boys played an unbeaten West Midlands side in a winner takes all game to decide the MCF title. Manager Neil Davies match report follows:
Staffordshire U14 Boys 1 West Midlands U14 Boys 0
On a night of high tension at Stafford Town, the Staffs boys emerged victorious from a thrilling game against West Midlands and so clinched the MCS title.
It was ‘win or bust’ for Staffs having lost earlier in the season to West Midlands so the boys knew what they had to do against a big, physical and talented West Midlands team. Knowing they needed to win the Staffs Managerial team set up in an adventurous 4-3-3 formation to try and force West Midlands back and use the wings to get round their pair of 6ft plus Centre Backs. For the first 20 minutes Staffs were well on top but couldn’t find the goal they needed until midfielder Todd Alcock finished off a sweeping move by firing in a fierce cross shot which just avoided the visiting keeper. As expected West Midlands came back and had a goal rightly disallowed for a push in the area. Half time came and it was simply a case of holding firm, knowing a second half clean sheet would guarantee the win. As the second half wore on the visitors launched crosses and long balls into the Staffs penalty box, but each time the defence and keeper held firm. It was by no means one way traffic either as Staffs threatened on several occasions. Rafferty Winnall agonisingly saw his shot rebound to safety off the underside of the bar. Led superbly by Captain Sol Ashworth the boys battled for every ball. Special mention to stand in left back Matt Cutler who dealt brilliantly with a very dangerous winger. But this game was all about team spirit and every single Staffordshire player ran through brick walls for the team.
The scenes at the final whistle summed up everything that this group of players is about. Togetherness, spirit and an abundance of ability have seen them through a tough first season and the winners trophy was well deserved. Every member of the 20 strong squad has played a huge part in this season’s success and should be very proud of their efforts.
Last night the final two Individual Schools' cup finals took place at Stafford Town FC in front of enthusiastic parents. Richard Wakefield school from Tutbury beat Pertton Middle School by 2-1 in a close fought encounter. The Under 11 boys final was a repeat of last years final with the reverse result. Codsall Middle School won 2-1 against Edge Hill School from Stapenhill in an enthralling encounter which produced some excellent football.
The Under 18 boys will receive their medals as MCF champions when they play West Midlands SFA on Monday 27th of April at Sandwell Academy KO7-00pm. This game will wrap up the season and planning for next season is already underway.
The season is drawing to a close and the week ahead sees the final matches played at Stafford Town and what games they should be.
On Monday the U14 Girls and Boys are in action against their West Midlands counterparts. Both games are taking place at Stafford Town FC. The Under 14 G kicking off at 6-15pm and the U14 B at 7-30pm. Admission for the games are £3 adults and £2 concessions. The Under 14 Girls should report at 5-00pm and usual dress code applies. The boys should report for 6-30 and again usual dress code applies.
The West Midlands girls will be crowned MCF champions having gone through the season unbeaten but it is the boys match which garners the most interest. If Staffordshire win the game then they will claim the titls wheras West Midlands will only need a draw to claim the honours and they hold the upper hand. However the Staffordshire boys have been excellent this year and if they can play to their best then they are in with a real chance of lifting the title. Whatever the outcome the two best U14 County teams in the Midlands will be contesting the game with a big reward awaiting the victors.
On Tuesday the boys and girls Under 11 Individual schools competitions finals take place at Stafford Town FC with a 6-00pm KO for the girls final and a 7-30 ko for the boys games. In the boys final current holders Edge Hill will take on Codsall Middle School. There is an admission charge of £2 for adults and £1 concessions.
The only two outstanding games are the U18 boys away to West Midlands and the U15 boys away to Herefordshire.
The U18 boys have already been crowned as champions.
This week anyone who has watched the miriad of games played cannot fail to have been impressed by the standard and quality as well as the committment and attitude of all of the boys and girls involved and a massive vote of thanks to all of the coaches,match officials and volunteers as well as the many supportive parents who watched the games.
Monday saw the Under 15 boys play Shropshire in a wonderfully entertaining game involving two sides who put on an outstanding display for the spectators but also played the game in the true spirit of the game. Staffordshire won the game 2-1 with goals from Jake Finney and Eden Bailey but when Shropshire scored the game swung from end to end though in truth Staffordshire spurned several chances which would have made them more comfortable winners.
Tuesday night saw John Taylor Academy and Trentham Academy go head to head in the Under 15 Boys individual Schools final. Trentham raced into a 3-0 lead 10 minutes into the second half in a fiercely competitive game but John Taylor scored three very quick goals to turn the game on its head. As the game moved towards penalties Trentham regained their advantage with two excellently worked goals to lift the trophy.
On Wednesday night the Under 16 girls took centre stage when they travelled to Lilleshall for their final game of the season. Despite totally dominating proceedings Staffordshire found themselves two goals down but these girls are resilient and the hit back to win by 5-2 with braces from skipper Katie Johnson and Macy Isherwood and a strike from Jessica Travers.
On Thursday a feast of football was to be had at St Georges Park where six cup finals took place. It was bitterley cold with an Arctic wind blowing and driving the odd icy shower across the pitches but in spite of the prevailing weather conditions all of the teams involved did themselves proud.
The Under 12 Boys title was lifted by De Ferrers boys with a 2-0 win over Excel Academy in an excellent game. DE Ferrers Under 13 girls almost made it a double leading 1-0 until the dying seconds but an Oldfields Hall equaliser took the game to penalties and Oldfields Hall prevailed in the ensuing shootout.
Excel Academy Under 12 Girls made up for the disappointment of the boys result by sweeping aside Codsall Middle School in a 4-0 win whilst the Under 14 Girls title went to Moorside with a 2-1 over Rawlett in a very close encounter.
Clayton Hall Academy just saw off Westwood with an odd goal in three victory and De Ferrers Under 15 Girls capped off a fine day for the school beating Alleynes Academy from Stone by 7-4 in an absolute goal fest.
The week was rounded off with a visit to Redditch to see all four Staffordshire boys represent England School's FA against Northern Ireland. They are a great credit to their schools and parents and as a County we are immenseley proud of their achievements.
@staffsschoolsfa will allow all to follow what is going on and will supplement the information available on the website.
Follow the account which is being run by Under 15 team Manager Bailey Evans.